3 euros AUSTRIA 2021 - Deinonychus Antirrhopus

3 euros AUSTRIA 2021 - Deinonychus Antirrhopus Glows in the dark

Deinonychus features all 12 extreme prehistoric animals from the Supersaurs series in silhouette on its obverse, while a color printed Deinonychus is displayed in the company of a Xenoceratops on the coin's glow-in-the-dark reverse. Supersaurs 3 euro coins are legal tender in Austria.

An inhabitant of what is now known as North America, Deinonychus lived about 110 million years ago. When it moved nimbly on two legs, it used its flexible tail to maintain balance. Studded with numerous blade-like teeth with serrated edges, the jaws of Deinonychus were very similar to those of a carnivore. Despite containing a brain large enough to suggest a highly intelligent animal, its skull was relatively narrow. This allowed Deinonychus to see stereoscopically and estimate distances accurately, an essential prerequisite for a successful predator. But perhaps the most striking feature of Deinonychus was the large sickle-shaped claws on the second toe of its hind legs. Fossilized footprints of a Deinonychus show that these claws were extended upwards and did not touch the ground when walking, all the better for pinning its prey to the ground with one leg while opening it with the claws of its long front legs.

The size is not everything. Deinonychus antirrhopus is a good example. The seventh supersaur in the superlative series may have only been twelve feet long, but it was one of the most dangerous and intelligent dinosaurs to ever walk the earth.